SOCIOLINGUISTIC FUNCTIONS OF HUMOR IN NIGERIAN SOCIETY: A DUAL-EDGED DISCOURSE OF IDENTITY AND POWER

Abstract

This study explores the sociolinguistic dimensions of humor, emphasizing the intricate interplay between language, culture, and social interaction. Humor, as a universal human phenomenon, functions not only as entertainment but also as a potent social tool that reflects cultural norms, social identities, and power relations. The rationale for this research lies in the recognition that while humor has been widely studied in linguistic and cultural contexts separately, there remains a significant gap in integrative sociolinguistic analyses that examine humor as a dynamic site of language use within culturally situated social interactions. The primary objective is to investigate how humor operates as a communicative strategy that negotiates meaning, reinforces or challenges social hierarchies, and fosters group cohesion across diverse cultural settings. This study employs a pragmatic and discourse analytic theoretical framework to analyze humorous exchanges in naturalistic interactions, focusing on code-switching, politeness strategies, and cultural references. Its significance stems from contributing to a deeper understanding of the socio-cultural functions of humor, thereby enriching sociolinguistic theory and intercultural communication studies. By addressing the underexplored nexus between humor, language, and culture in social contexts, the study fills a crucial gap in existing research. It offers novel insights into how humor mediates social relations and cultural identities, thus providing implications for conflict resolution, education, and cross-cultural communication. The research ultimately contributes to existing knowledge by foregrounding humor as a multifaceted sociolinguistic phenomenon integral to human interaction.